Melissa Joy, CFP®
Founder & Financial Planner
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BACKGROUND
Before founding Pearl, Melissa worked in financial planning and investments for more than twenty years. As a CFP® professional, she specializes in working with busy families managing careers and success. Pearl Planning fulfilled her dream to build a client-focused, personalized wealth management firm.
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PHILOSOPHY ON INVESTING
Don't expect it to be easy. To reach goals, you have to prioritize and be disciplined. That's why we are named Pearl. It starts as that tiny irritation inside the oyster's shell. I'm not here to bug you, but I am going to hold you accountable for what you say you want to achieve. Beneath the sea, that grain of sand transforms into something beautiful.
Get to know Melissa
CHILDHOOD COLLECTION
Old maps, the kind with edges that taper into the unknown.
YOU MIGHT BUMP INTO ME
Around Dexter, the chain of lakes, a local brewery or bookstore.
A QUOTE ON MY DESK
"You can do anything, but you can't do everything."
GEEKING OUT
Research, numbers, and building a discretionary management platform.
THREE FAVORITE WORDS
Purpose, Generosity, Possibility
More About Melissa
AREAS OF FOCUS & INTEREST
Double-breadwinner families
Divorce, inheritance, and windfall transitions
Financial planning for executives
Multigenerational & location-agnostic planning
LEADERSHIP
Advisory Committee, Dexter Community Fund
Past member, Raymond James Women's Council
Former Board, Build Institute
Former Board, ArtOps
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Financial Planner®
Certificate of Financial Planning, Boston University
B.A. Political Science, University of Michigan
Executive Leadership Program, Inforum
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Forbes/Shook Top Women Wealth Advisors, MI, 2024
Investopedia 100, 2020–2023
Crain's Detroit Top Women in Finance, 2020
Working Mother Top Wealth Advisor Moms, 2017–18
THE TEAM